Recently, personal computers and workstations have capabilities to process multimedia information. Then networks, which communicate between these computers are expected to transmit multimedia information and to provide flexible multimedia services on B-ISDN and ATM-LAN. This paper describes the negotiation method to access the high-speed ATM-Network in the multi-group communication system, which provides the panel-discussion type conferencing service. In this negotiation, the host terminal inquiries the applicable and desired capabilities to each terminals and sets up the corresponding connections.

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The development of personal terminals and mobile communications makes it possible to introduce portable terminals into real-time groupware systems, such as distributed multimedia conferencing systems, working on WSs or PCs. A personal terminai which is small, portable and pen-based can use network services from anywhere through wireless communication technologies such as wireless LAN, PHS or infrared rays. A group cooperative work system becomes more flexible by cooperating WS/PC with personal terminals. The authors discuss the usage of personal terminals in the real-time groupware system, and subjects which must be solved to realize the system. A Pen-MERMAID architecture is also proposed and a prototype system is introduced.

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This report introduces the new video interface concept called PaperVideo which video information is fixed on paper. Various kinds of video information are represented automatically on paper based on image analysis Interface function such as Content Overview, Direct Shot Mapping, Video Panorama, Motion Trace, and Stereoscopic View are introduced. Paper is a basic and familiar material and tool for human life and will be so in the future. Paper is a new but old target of media services. PaperVideo Extensions are also proposed by utilizing the characteristics of paper. PaperVideo which is convenient and easy to use will encourage the development of many new services related to video use.

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There are two grayscale image coding methods by fractal. One, global scheme. The other, local scheme. Now, the main current method of local scheme is random iteration system (Random IFS). But, this method has a weak point that it needs iteration time. In this paper, a new image coding method based on collage theorem and gray-scale iterated function system, is proposed. The statistical properties between reconstructed image and origainal image are investigated. And the efficacy of this method is shown.

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This paper describes a newly developed programming environment which transforms a video processing application written in graphic form into code sets executable on a multi-processor system. The system consists mainly of a graphic editor and an integrated compiler which breaks up a signal flow graph, compensates timing differences between signal paths, and generates control panels on a screen of a workstation.

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A book metaphor is useful for browsing text, tables and graphics of databases. A book metaphor system is superior to an actual book in supporting user's operations, but both are equally effective in supporting user's task. To effectively support user's task, a Book Metaphor Feedback is developed. This feedback shows user how to effectively use a book metaphor system with the face chart and messages. A software design is conducted to evaluate the Book Metaphor Feedback against the book metaphor system without the feed-back. Experimental results suggest the Book Metaphor Feedback is superior effective in supporting user's task.

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